MGB & GT Forum

Hey every one.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that when I started my B that there was about a 1/2 second delay from turning the key to the ignition actually starting the car. It happened a few times and I did not listen what she was trying to tell me.

Fast forward to yesterday..... I was on the highway and the B died, no sputtering, the Battery was charging (I have a voltage gauge), everything electrically was working fine. It happened once and I was able to restart it (quickly), I had pulled off of the highway, and it happened again and that was it.

My feeling is that there is a loose connection, I jiggled the ignition switch on the steering column to see if that helped, but no. I could not see anything loose but could not see well under the car by the starter etc. but everything I could see seemed in place and solidly connected.

I had it towed to a garage that I have used for basic generic work, and am going there later. Again it is an instant event no spuddering or warning, Driving working fine one minute and then next DOA.

Any suggestions please let me know.

Thanks
Jamie

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"The problem is not that there are so many stupid people, it is that lighting is so damn inaccurate" Mark Twain

1976 MGB
4 Cyl, ZS Carb.
GHN5UG392586G

You need to clean and tighten the connections on the starter, engine to body ground and on the battery to make sure they are making good contact.

If that doesn't solve the issue, then at least those major items are eliminated from the troubleshooting.

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“Ideological certainty easily degenerates into an insistence upon ignorance". Daniel Patrick Moynihan

In any debate, the side which strays from civil discussion is usually the side that lacks confidence in its debate position or in the merit of their arguments. Making personal attacks on the opponents instead of staying on the subject is also a sign of weakness.

Anyone who feels compelled to respond in kind to any perceived slight is often suffering from narcissism.

That's my first thoughts as well.

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"The problem is not that there are so many stupid people, it is that lighting is so damn inaccurate" Mark Twain

1976 MGB
4 Cyl, ZS Carb.
GHN5UG392586G

fuel? spark? Check those once power and grounds are cleaned and tested. There was a B going to Glenwood this year that did that. Found out the wiring was a mess and it was cutting out the fuel pump.

You need to do a little troubleshooting before you tear into things too much. Easier than the "shotgun" approach of randomly replacing stuff. Does the ignition relay click when you turn key ON? Does the start relay click when you go to START? Does the solenoid on the starter click when you go to START? What I'm saying is you need to find where you are losing the voltage in the start circuit. Ignition Switch to Start Relay to Solenoid to Starter Motor. Also you need to make sure all are grounded on the other side of the coil. A test light will work if you don't have a meter. A wiring diagram is a necessity. You're losing the voltage somewhere or you have a bad component. You can use a jumper wire from the Green or Brown circuit on the fuse block to test with, but be careful not to ground the jumper or you'll blow a fuse. Black is usually ground.

That's assuming yours is like my 79. Otherwise, go but the wiring diagram to trace out the circuit.

I think they're two separate issues.

The starting issues is likely a bad/dirty/loose connection somewhere in the starting circuit. Just start from one end and work to the other...

The drivability(or lack thereof) issue sounds also like an electrical issue but in the ignition circuit. Check the wire cluster at the alternator for any loose wires. Pull on them individually. Clean/wire brush them well. Pay special attention to the distributor/coil area.

Just recently, one of the members of the local BCC had a Lotus which just "died" out on the road. Similar thing; one minute running, next...not. No warning...just died. He thought the coil was bad and was poking around under the hood pulling the old one off. I happened to be at the clubhouse so I got my mitts in on the action as well. I reached down near the distributor and low and behold...a single strand of bare wire(low tension lead) which I simply pulled apart. I said "THIS could have something to do with it". Spliced another wire in it's place, turned the key and it fired right up. He learned two things; 1. When restoring an old car...don't use old wiring just so the "colors are correct"(that's why they have sharpies) and 2. If you DO...it may cost you $280 in towing fees to convince you that you should have adhered to rule #1!lol!

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"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions"--Alvin "Tex" Johnston...Boeing test pilot.

"Who do you think you are? I am."...Pete Weber

73 MGB. Tires: Round, black, hold air. Oil: Sometimes old, sometimes new...always slippery. Oil filter: Yellow, usually full of oil. Carbs: 2 SU HIF. Distributor: Yes. Headlights: Not that bright but bright enough. A bunch of other stuff most cars have but not really important enough to itemize. Oh, wait...it has a cool sounding exhaust with stickers on the chrome tips. Really slays the ladies...

It was the ignition switch...

Thanks everyone!

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"The problem is not that there are so many stupid people, it is that lighting is so damn inaccurate" Mark Twain

1976 MGB
4 Cyl, ZS Carb.
GHN5UG392586G

Glad you got it fixed. How did you find it?